Archive for March, 2013

Posted on Tuesday, March 5th, 2013 by Sanctuary staff

We are thrilled that Rachel Lyon has joined our wonderful team. She brings the highest quality training, a warm and grounded personality, and a passion for making the world a better place. I’ll let Rachel introduce herself in her own words:

Have you ever felt like a broken record, talking to your friends or family about the same thing over and over again? Do you need someone who will help you really solve your problems? One of the things that I love about counseling is that understanding you and your situation is my job. Your therapist is not one of your friends and they are not your family. Your counselor is a person who has a more objective point of view on your family situation, other relationships, or work or school situation; someone who is 100% focused on you and your experience. As a therapist, it is my job to ask the hard questions and to be with you in the messy parts of life. I help my clients discover strengths you never knew you had and to support you as you gain the skills and knowledge to make things different in the future. I am passionate about therapy because I believe it can help each of us become our best self.

While I have been trained in many techniques, I have a couple of favorites. Solution Focused therapy is just what it sounds like. You and I will work together to find solutions that work for your life and for your situation. Change that lasts the longest is change that you choose for yourself, so our therapy will be very collaborative. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, examines the way we think and the behaviors that we do as a result of those thoughts. I have successfully used CBT with teens and adults. My clients have gained confidence, stress management strategies, and social and relationship skills, among other benefits. Therapy works when you are comfortable being honest with me about what you need. I will encourage you to let me know what techniques and suggestions make sense to you and are helping you achieve your goals.

I believe firmly that God connects us to the people we need for the different seasons of our lives. It would be my honor and pleasure to walk with you in this stage of your journey. Whatever your faith might be, I will honor your beliefs and incorporate them into our therapy in the way that works for you.

I have worked with clients dealing with:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Addictions
• History of abuse
• Relationship problems-in romantic relationships and family relationships
• Children acting out in school
• Children struggling to interact with peers and parents/teachers
• Eating disorders

Thank you for taking the time to consider working with me in therapy. Let me commend you for your insight and bravery in pursuing counseling. This is a huge first step in learning about yourself and gaining the skills you need to conquer whatever aspect of your life has prompted you to seek help.

Degrees and Training:

I have my Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Walla Walla University. As part of my Masters program I participated in several internships; the University’s free clinic where I conducted individual therapy for adults ages 20-65, and at a community mental health clinic where I was part of the child and family team. I conducted group therapy sessions with a co-therapist and counseled individual clients ages 4-18. After graduation I worked at a residential facility for older adults with chronic mental illnesses for two years, where I gained experience in counseling clients with anxiety, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, the use of medications in mental illness as well as the importance for clients to have a strong support system.